Gajapati, Odisha: A 108 ambulance driver—allegedly drunk—fell asleep midway while transporting a pregnant woman in critical condition, forcing her family to arrange a private vehicle to reach the hospital.
The incident took place late Thursday night when Nandini Rayat, wife of Vijay Rayat from Kanikipadar village, experienced severe labour pain. She was rushed to the Chandragiri Community Health Centre, where doctors, finding the unborn child in distress, referred her to MKCG Medical College in Berhampur.
A 108 ambulance was dispatched, but during the journey, the driver’s erratic behaviour raised suspicion. Family members soon realised he was heavily intoxicated and driving recklessly. Shortly after reaching Anukuta village, the driver pulled over, claiming he needed rest—then fell asleep inside the vehicle.
Repeated attempts by the family to wake him failed. With Nandini’s condition deteriorating, they were left with no choice but to hire a private car in the middle of the night to continue the journey to Berhampur. She was admitted to the government hospital, where doctors performed a C-section to deliver the baby.
The Odisha government spends crores on 102 and 108 ambulance services to ensure timely treatment for patients. However, in this case, a negligent, intoxicated driver deprived a critically ill woman of life-saving emergency care, putting both mother and child at grave risk.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Gajapati district, with locals demanding strict action against the driver. “The driver was drunk and slept on the roadside instead of taking my wife to the hospital. We had to arrange our own vehicle. This is unacceptable,” said Vijay Rayat.
